United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first 28 days in office have seen a series of initiatives in key sectors including social protection, economy, administration, education, health and public safety, reflecting his focus on delivering on people’s expectations. In a Facebook post,Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin outlined what he described as “28 steps in 28 days”, highlighting the government’s early actions and priorities. The steps reflect the Prime Minister’s commitment to fulfilling his electoral pledges and ensuring accountability to the people, he wrote in the post. “Today is March 17. Exactly one month ago, the BNP government was formed under the leadership of the popularly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In just 28 days, he has worked tirelessly in every moment of state administration to fulfil his election pledges. These steps are not merely administrative actions as they are a clear reflection of his accountability to people,” the post reads. Among the major initiatives, the government introduced a family card programme, providing monthly financial assistance to thousands of families, and arranged allowances for imams, priests, monks and other religious leaders. It also mentioned relief distribution ahead of Eid and an initiative to introduce an institutional zakat system to strengthen social welfare. PM vows to work day and night to build Bangladesh, urges patience In the agriculture sector, the post highlighted plans to introduce farmer cards and waive small loans for marginal farmers, along with a nationwide canal excavation programme to improve irrigation, boost agricultural production, and create employment in rural areas. On administrative reforms, it noted steps to ensure discipline in offices, reduce VVIP protocols and cut special privileges for MPs, aiming to lower public expenditure and restore public trust. The post also referred to measures to stabilise markets during Ramadan and Eid, facilitate foreign investment, ensure timely payment of workers’ wages and bonuses, and revive closed industrial units. In education, it highlighted decisions to cancel re-admission fees, reform admission processes, support higher studies abroad and recruit teachers, alongside steps to promote sports and cultural activities. The post also mentioned the introduction of e-health cards, recruitment of health workers and a nationwide cleanliness drive to prevent dengue. Measures to strengthen law and order, including action against extortion and steps to enhance women’s safety such as introducing women-operated bus services, were also noted. It also mentioned steps aimed at promoting discipline and values, including limiting state-sponsored iftar events, saving electricity and removing illegal establishments in tourist areas. Other initiatives included declaring a national day in memory of martyred army personnel, efforts to expedite the opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and plans to introduce free internet services at all airports and important public places and establishments, it added. The post said the steps taken in the first 28 days of government formation reflect Tarique Rahman’s strong leadership, tireless efforts, and accountability to people. “Under his leadership, the hopes and aspirations of ordinary people are being addressed and turned into reality. This unprecedented journey will prepare the new generation for the future of the country, Inshallah. As he (PM) says, “Together we will work, together we will build the country, and Bangladesh comes first,” it concluded.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Overseas Employment and ICT Mahdi Amin on Monday stressed the need for major reforms in the country’s education system to build a merit-based Bangladesh, saying the current structure still contains deep inequalities.Speaking at a discussion on education sector reforms based on election pledges, organised by the Citizens’ Platform in Gulshan, Mahdi said the admission system in schools should gradually return to an exam-based process instead of the current lottery system.“Many schools have said they do not like the lottery system. It is a black box,” Mahdi said, adding that policymakers have already discussed moving back to an exam-based admission process. BNP set to secure two-thirds majority, says Mahdi AminHe said efforts are underway to revise the education curriculum before January next year.“The curriculum has been politicised. We want to develop it in a modern way, redesigning where necessary,” he said, urging civil society to maintain pressure so the reform process remains free from political influence.Mahdi said the main objective of education should not be limited to obtaining certificates but should also focus on building capacity, technical skills and entrepreneurial ability. “We want an education system that enables young people to become entrepreneurs through self-employment and to qualify for jobs at home and abroad.”He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasised expanding technical and vocational education. Under the proposed plan, technical and vocational elements would gradually be introduced from Class Six theoretically and from Class Eight with practical components, making at least one technical or vocational subject mandatory alongside science, arts or commerce streams.Mahdi said the government is also planning to introduce third-language learning in schools to enhance overseas employment opportunities. Countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Italy, France and Germany have shown interest in supporting the initiative, possibly by sending teachers or providing technical assistance through their embassies.Initially, specific foreign languages may be introduced in selected districts before integrating them across the national education system, he added.At the event, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said the government plans to gradually introduce a midday meal programme in all schools across the country. “The programme will begin with government primary schools at the upazila level and will then be expanded step by step to cover all schools nationwide.”He also said the government is working towards introducing a single curriculum framework to ensure that students from Bangla, English and Ebtedayee streams achieve comparable competencies after completing 12 years of education.The state minister added that steps are being taken to incorporate culture and sports into the national curriculum, with work on the initiative expected to begin after June and implementation targeted within two to three years.Earlier in the discussion, a study presented by Towfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director (Research) at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), warned that Bangladesh is falling behind in ensuring universal access to quality primary and secondary education despite progress in enrolment.The analysis showed that boys’ primary school enrolment fell from 98 percent in 2023 to 91 percent in 2024, marking the sharpest one-year decline on record.At the secondary level, girls increasingly outnumber boys, while the transition rate from primary to secondary education has also declined.According to the study, the share of students moving from primary completion to secondary school dropped from about 95 percent in 2010 to 84.2 percent in 2024.The transition rate from Grade 5 to Grade 6 fell sharply to 74.99 percent in 2022, meaning roughly one in four students did not continue to secondary education.The presentation also highlighted a rise in child labour, which increased from 6.8 percent in 2019 to 9.2 percent in 2025, suggesting that growing household economic pressure may be pushing many boys out of school.The study further warned that many students complete primary education without acquiring basic learning skills, making it difficult for them to succeed in secondary education.It called for a renewed education agenda focusing on stronger learning outcomes, skills development and better alignment between education and labour market demands.

Calling the election outcome a victory for democracy and Bangladesh, BNP Central Election Steering Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Friday said the results reflect the aspirations of the country’s people. “This is not just a victory for BNP. It is a victory for democracy. It is a victory for Bangladesh,” he said while talking to reporters in front of the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office. Mahdi said they are very confident the democratic transition through the election will ensure a free land again where every citizen’s rights and freedoms will be protected. “BNP is the largest and most popular political party in Bangladesh. The emotions, hopes and feelings of the people are closely connected with this party.” Vote-buying proves Jamaat’s political bankruptcy, code violation: Mahdi Amin Mahdi also said BNP is a party of the masses that believes in empowering the grassroots and upholds Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and nationalism. “The extraordinary love and support people have shown towards this party have been reflected in this election, where we have witnessed an irresistible, overwhelming and decisive victory.”  The BNP leader said their party firmly believes that the strong public confidence and support received by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will be translated into responsible leadership. “We believe the trust, and love that people have shown to our leader, Tarique Rahman—as a prime minister on the future, will ensure the rights and freedoms of every citizen and restore people’s ownership (of the country),” he said. Mahdi also said the next BNP-led government will work to establish a transparent, accountable and people-friendly administration. He said the new government will stand on what he termed a long democratic struggle marked by sacrifices, including enforced disappearances, killings and cases against party activists. “So, Insha’Allah, our leader will fulfill the expectations of the mothers of the martyrs. In the coming Bangladesh, he will change the fate of every person and solve their problems. We believe our leader will ensure the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy remain intact,” Mahdi observed. He also hoped that the future BNP government will work to establish an accountable, transparent and pro-people administration. Replying to a question, Mahdi said the election has marked the completion of a long-awaited democratic transition through free, fair and credible polls. He also expressed gratitude to global leaders who sent congratulatory messages following the election results. “This is a gracious gesture. Our leader will respond to them in due course.” Mahdi Amin said their party remains committed to ensuring inclusive development, protection of human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression as part of its broader vision for the country’s future. According to the unofficial results of Thursday’s 13th parliamentary election, BNP won 209 out of 299 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami, which emerged as a significant force following the July uprising, secured 68 seats. The Election Commission is expected to publish the official results after completing all formal procedures. BNP to take action against rebel candidates: Mahdi Amin

BNP is confident of forming the next government with more than a two-thirds majority in the 13th national election, its Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Thursday night. “Alhamdulillah, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has already been unofficially declared elected from two constituencies — Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17,” he told a press conference at the BNP Election Steering Committee office in Gulshan. Mahdi Amin alleged that since Wednesday night their political opponents had engaged in various irregularities, including vote rigging and unlawful occupation of polling centres. Despite this, he said, candidates contesting under the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, were leading by substantial margins in a large number of constituencies, with several already unofficially declared elected. “BNP, strengthened by the love and support of the people, will form the government by winning more than two-thirds of the seats, InshaAllah,” he said, adding that the party’s confidence was based on vote counts and detailed constituency-level data received so far. He alleged that incidents of irregularities, fraud and violence occurred in different parts of the country on polling day. He alleged that there were attempts at ‘election engineering’ in certain constituencies to favour specific candidates. Citing examples, he claimed, in Dhaka city, the counting of votes and announcement of results had been deliberately delayed in several constituencies, including Dhaka-8, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-16. The BNP spokesperson also alleged that a particular political party had engaged in propaganda and violated the election code of conduct in an attempt to reduce the victory margins of BNP candidates, potentially affecting voter participation in some areas. Mahdi Amin congratulated voters across the country for casting their ballots and supporting their preferred candidates. Voting in Bangladesh’s national election concluded on Thursday in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms. Tarique Rahman wins both Dhaka-17, Bogura-6 seats The polling in Bangladesh began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm without interruption at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies, amid the deployment of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters also participated in a referendum to express their views through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes on proposals for several constitutional amendments.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin the second phase of his election campaign from Chattogram on Sunday, completing electioneering in Sylhet. “Our leader Tarique Rahman is travelling to Chattogram today as part of his election campaign. He will depart Dhaka at 7:35pm by air and spend the night in Chattogram,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday morning. Mahdi said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in the port city with around 300 university students at 9:30am on Sunday. At the event, the BNP chief will outline his party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues, Mahdi added. BNP to ensure safety of Hindu community if elected: Mirza Fakhrul Later in the afternoon, Tarique will address a mass rally at the Chattogram Polo Ground. Following the Chattogram programmes, he will address campaign rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground and spoke at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj the same day.

BNP will take an overall position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, which will be held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election on February 12. “When our parliamentary election candidates visited Dhaka, we told them that BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum during the election campaign,” party Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s election office in Gulshan area, he also said the party has already informed all its members that, overall, BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum. During the July Charter formulation process at the National Consensus Commission, Mahdi said BNP had a clear position and also recorded some notes of dissent, which the party still holds. He said the party has long worked to ensure accountability and transparency in governance and has pursued fundamental reforms through its 31-point reform outline. “For these reasons, we will stand for ‘Yes’ in the referendum,” Mahdi, who is also an adviser to the BNP Chairman, said. He explained that BNP believes notes of dissent and different opinions are natural in a democracy and will be discussed in Parliament.